“My claim was open since 2014,” said Cecilia Burgos, U.S. Navy wounded warrior and local Medford, New Jersey, resident. “Three weeks from me working my claim with Wounded Warrior Project, I was sitting in front of the VA representative who would be deciding my case. Four hours later, I had their decision.”

MEDFORD, N.J., June 14, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Veterans with service-related health issues received instant relief when Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) held a Benefits Claims Day at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) regional office in New York City.

"My claim was open since 2014," said Cecilia Burgos, U.S. Navy wounded warrior and local Medford, New Jersey, resident. "Three weeks from me working my claim with Wounded Warrior Project, I was sitting in front of the VA representative who would be deciding my case. Four hours later, I had their decision."

Cecilia's approval came with more than $42,000 in retroactive benefits service pay the following day.

With long-term financial health support playing a critical, empowering role in the recovery process, WWP created the Benefits Service program, helping injured veterans navigate the complexities of the Department of Defense and VA. WWP reaches out to local communities through a variety of events, filing thousands of claims each year. Benefits Claims Day is one of the events gaining traction across the nation as an innovative collaboration between WWP and VA.

As a VA-accredited organization, WWP works individually with warriors to understand their unique needs, provide information on the claims process, advise them of benefit options, file benefit claims, and obtain necessary evidence. The staff stays connected with these injured veterans through the entire claims life cycle.

"It feels good to know someone was looking at my claim and that I wasn't just a number," Cecilia said. "I was finally able to pay off my bills – like my student loans – and put some away in investments. But I also took my kids to Disney ®."

WWP programs and services assist injured veterans with mental health, physical health and wellness, career and benefits counseling, and connecting with other warriors and their communities. Generous donors make it possible for wounded warriors to benefit from program resources at no cost to them.